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Finding Your Way Around Windows 8

Summary

Learn where familiar options are located in the Windows 8 operating system.

Solution

Windows 8 is here and it's different. Find out what has changed and how it affects your Cox.net Internet services. The Frequently Asked Questions below contain steps to walk you through some of the features.

Before You Begin

Below are some terms you may want to become familiar with as you navigate the Windows 8 interface.

Windows 8 Term

Description

charm

Icon that represents a feature or function. The charms are Search, Share, Start, Devices and Settings,

charm bar

Menu bar that houses the charms

Windows key

The key on your keyboard with the Windows wave logo on it.Note: To navigate between screens click the Windows wave key on your computer.

Metro version

The metro version of Windows 8 is the version used by your mobile device.

Desktop version

The desktop version of Windows 8 is the one used on your laptop or desktop computer.

Windows 8 charm bar

Search

Share

Start

Devices

Settings

Questions Users Are Asking

Where is the Start button?

To log in to your computer, press the Windows wave key and the letter I as in 'eye.'

Enter the password you set up for your computer.

The new Windows 8 desktop varies depending on what you are doing. To go to the Start screen, move your cursor to the top or bottom right corner of the computer screen until the charm bar pops out. If you are using a mobile device, swipe in from the right edge of the screen.Tip: You can also press the Windows key + C to open the charm bar.

Where are my computer settings?

Settings are located under the Settings charm. To access them, move your cursor to the top or bottom right corner of the computer screen until the charm bar pops out. On a mobile device swipe in from the right edge of the screen.Tip: You can also press the Windows key + C to open the charm bar.

Note: You can also shutdown from here by choosing Power, then Shut down, as shown in red below:

Where is the Control Panel?

The Control Panel is located on the Apps screen under the Search charm.

To access it, move your cursor to the top or bottom right corner of the computer screen until the charm bar pops out. On a mobile device swipe in from the right edge of the screen. Tip: You can also press the Windows key + C to open the charm bar.

Click or tap Search. You will find it under Windows System.

Tip: Use the Esc key on your computer to move the charm bar out of the way.

Tip: You can also enter the term 'control panel' in the search box to find it.

How do I add an account?

You can add an account in Settings. To get there, move your cursor to the top or bottom right corner of the computer screen until the charm bar pops out. On a mobile device swipe in from the right edge of the screen.Tip: You can also press the Windows key + C to open the charm bar.

Connecting your email account through Windows 8 Mail may fail unless it is a Gmail, Hotmail or Outlook account. Windows 8 Mail does not support all email clients.

Click or tap the Settings charm.

Click or tap Accounts.

Click or tap Add a user.

Click or tap the type of account you want to add, then follow the on-screen instructions.

If I don't use metro, how do I make the desktop version the default?

Under Opening Internet Explorer click in the list box and select: Always in Internet Explorer on the desktop.

How can I view Internet Explorer on my desktop?

Move your cursor to the top or bottom right corner of the computer screen until the charm bar pops out. On a mobile device swipe in from the right edge of the screen.

Click the Settings charm.

Click Internet Explorer icon.

At the end of the black address bar at the bottom of the browser window click the wrench icon.

Click View on desktop.Result: Your browser will display on the desktop.

How do I run a command prompt?

To run a command prompt, press the Windows key + R. This will open the Run dialog box.

In the Open field, enter cmd and press Enter.

Where are my Favorites?

Internet Explorer 10 does not use the traditional Favorites. Instead it allows you to pin websites to the Start screen or open a list of pinned sites and frequently-visited sites. If you have a browser installed you can still see the favorites by right-clicking the icon on the menu bar.

How do I set a default browser?

If you do not use Internet Explorer 10, download your preferred browser and install it. This is done the usual way by accessing the Internet and allowing it to download.

Once you have download your preferred browser, move your cursor to the top or bottom right corner of the computer screen until the charm bar pops out. On a mobile device swipe in from the right edge of the screen.Tip: You can also press the Windows key + C to open the charm bar.

From here, click or tap the Search charm.

If the Apps screen does not display, click or tap Apps.

Tip: You can also find it by entering 'default programs' in the search field.

Under Windows System, click or tap or click Default Programs.

Choose Set this program as default.

Choose your program from the list on the left.

Click or tap Set this program as default.

Click or tap OK.Result: The default will set and the icon will show in your menu bar on the Start page.

If I upgraded from Windows 7 how do I get back to it?

Move your cursor to the top or bottom right corner of the computer screen until the charm bar pops out. On a mobile device swipe in from the right edge of the screen.

Click the Start charm.

Click the Desktop icon to go to the more familiar Windows 7 desktop.

Additional Resources

Visit these sites to learn more about Windows 8:Note: Cox is not responsible for the content that lives on any 3rd party website.

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